Beef Genomics and Data Programme: Sustainable Cattle Breeding Solution

1. Beef Genomics and Data Programme

2. The Challenge. • 12% of global GHG emissions are from agriculture (figure is 33% for Ireland). • Cattle are worst offenders. • Environmental Solution; cut our cattle herd. • Irish Solution; Breed more sustainable animals => BGDP 2015-2020.

3. Increasing Herd €uro-Stars => more calves/cow/year and less GHG/LU Based on 24k herds in BGDP in 2014 Scheme was sold on the basis of climate change benefits

4. 2015 – 2020; Initial genetic gain worth ~€1000/herd or ~€10/cow/year. 2015 – 2030; Overall genetic gain worth ~€10,000 herd or ~€30/cow/year. Rationale. Past focus on terminal traits (blue), resulting in decline in maternal traits (purple) = no genetic gain in overall replacement index (green). Goal of scheme is to reverse trend in maternal traits, reduce emphasis on terminal traits and increase overall sustainability of Irish suckler herd.

5. Requirement 1- Calving Details Same as Beef Data Programme • Calving Ease Survey for each calf i.e. Animal Events sheet. • In addition to normal tagging & registration requirements • Using any one of the following methods: • www.agfood.ie • Department approved farm software providers • The ICBF Animal Events System – animal events book as provided by the ICBF As per the Suckler Scheme and last years Beef Data Programme

6. Requirement 2 - Surveys • Same as Beef Data Programme (calf quality, calf docility, cow milk ability, cow temperament), with some additional information required e.g. calf size and vitality, cow/bull culling reasons. • Complete survey forms in respect of all cows, calves and stock bulls on his/her holding annually. • Farmers provided with notebooks for daily field recording (e.g. details of calf size and vigour). As per the Suckler Scheme and last years Beef Data Programme

7. Requirement 3 - Genotyping • Same approach as Beef Genomics Scheme; with increase in numbers. • ICBF will select animals to be genotyped in each herd and will notify owners of the animals selected. • Tissue tags will be supplied to the applicant for this purpose. • Number = 60% of the number of calved suckler cows on the holding in 2014. Similar to BGS in 2014 i.e.15% of payment • e.g. farmer with 15 reference animals in 2014 will genotype 9 animals (cows, heifers, calves or stock bulls) each year Last year a 20 cow herds would have genotyped 4 animals, under this scheme a 20 cow herd will genotype 12 animals

8. Genotyping 60% animals? • Need to accurately identify the more profitable animals for breeding. • Farmers buying/retaining 4 & 5 star females & males will expect them to deliver. • With genomics, accuracy of selection can double (experience from dairying). • Move to genotyping heifer calves + cows. • Scope for farmers to select their own animals for genotyping, provided meet certain minimum requirements.

9. Accurately identifying best animals. Without genomics; you would have sold this heifer Without genomics; you would have kept this heifer

10. Requirement 4 - Replacement Strategy (i) Male replacements • For applicants using a stock bull, at least one stock bull on the holding on 30th June 2019 must have been a genotyped 4 or 5 star bull on either the Terminal or Replacement index • Where it is replaced in the period to 30th June 2020, it must be replaced by a bull of equivalent genetic merit. • Renting in bulls – inform DAFM before 30th June 2016 and continue to use 4 or 5 star bulls for duration of Programme. • compliance with animal health and movement legislation • must have cleared a premovement test for TB and BVD. • At least 80% of the AI used on participating holdings must be from 4 or 5 star bulls on either the Terminal or Replacement index – applies from 30th June 2016 About 75% of 2014 BGS Herds have a compliant bull – 75% of pedigree registered males in 2014 qualify

11. Why 4 & 5 star sires*? • *Based on steers slaughtered in 2014 in Slaney Meats from 1, 2, 3 ,4 & 5 star sires. • Using 4 & 5 star sires = more profit at slaughter.

12. Requirement 4 - Replacement Strategy • (ii) Female replacements • Criteria for replacements • 4 or 5 stars on the replacement index at the time of purchase (for heifers brought into the herd) or at the time of genotyping (for those replacements bred within the herd). • Provision for purchasing non-genotyped heifers purchased by farmer. • At least 16 months old and • Born in 2013 or later. • Numbers to be achieved • The number of heifers/eligible suckler cows meeting these criteria must • On 31st October 2018 = 20% of number of applicant’s reference animals • On 31st October 2020 = 50% of the number of applicant’s reference animals. • e.g. a farmer with 20 calved suckler cows in 2014 must have 10 females meeting these criteria by 31st October 2020 About 50% of 2014 BGS Herds would currently meet the 2018 Requirement, about 30% would meet the 2019 requirement. (With a replacement rate of 15%, a herd will be normally replacing 18 of 20 cows in the scheme period.)

13. Latest Results – Grange Maternal* • * Based on female indexes taken from Autumn 2012. • 4 & 5 star animals are delivering; more milk, improved fertility & better calves.

14. Requirement 5 – Carbon Navigator Carbon Navigator – farm management tool which estimates the potential financial savings and green house gas reductions that could be made on each farm (i) Complete a Carbon Navigator with an approved advisor by 31st October 2016. • DAFM covers the cost of the advisor (ii) On an annual basis submit data a to allow for an update of the carbon navigator. • Data will be submitted via survey forms and cover areas such as (1) grazing season length, (2) fertiliser use, and (3) slurry spreading.

15. Requirement 6 - Training Farmers must attend an approved BDGP training course before 31st October 2016. • Farmer receives €166 for participation • Cost of training covered by DAFM Training will include: • individual requirements of the scheme • importance of data collection and maternal breeding traits • understanding and optimal use of breeding indexes • linkage with carbon efficiency at farm and national level

16. BDGP: Payment Model • Approximately €300 million for circa 35,000 farmers • Area based payment linked to number of calved cows in 2014 (reference animals) • Number of calved cows divided by standard stocking rate of 1.5 • E.g. 30 calved cows in 2014 leads to 20 eligible hectare • Must claim at least 80% of this area each year • Payment of €142.50 for first 6.66 hectares - €120 thereafter • Plus €166 per farmer for attending training • Cost of training and carbon navigator covered separately • BVD requirement Effectively €95 for the first 10 cows, €80/cow thereafter.

17. Summary. • Scheme is focused on using genomics to breed a more sustainable/profitable cow. • Consequences not joining; forego payment (especially when many farmers are already compliant!), inability to sell bulls to scheme herds (pedigree breeders). • Benefits of joining; opportunity to change suckler cow type on Irish farms. • Strongly advise all suckler beef farmers to join scheme before 29 May deadline.